Caray, Caray!

Friday: Inaki turns the car to head back to Real del Monte, doesn’t look, and drives right into the path of an oncoming truck.

Tonight: Blissfully unaware, Emiliano is kicking around a soccer ball with Chava and some other kids. Their team wins and Chava says come play with us every weekend. Cool, says Emiliano. Chava, worried that his cholesterol is too low, wants to go grab some quesadillas at his mom’s roadside stand, and Emiliano says he’ll go take a quick shower and join him.

He notices the message from Inaki on his phone. Call me immediately! He dials, but just gets Inaki’s tape.

Mac comes home from her blood studies and Rufi tells her that spending time with Camila sure makes her look perkier. Mac tells Rufi that if the phone rings they have to grab it before Carlota does.

She takes a big jar of birdseed from the shelf of mysteries in the kitchen and heads off to the canary cage. Rufi follows and in a low voice tells Mac about Arcadia’s two mysterious visits and how Carlota sent Rufi to the kitchen so she couldn’t overhear. Mac says it’s very strange that somebody working for Inaki’s family would come by.

She turns to feed her birds and gasps. There is little yellow feathered body on the bottom of the cage. She storms into Carlota’s office and tells her that the little bird’s neck was wrung and she’s the only one who would do it. Carlota is not the type to note the fall of a sparrow and says There is so much to worry about, what with Paloma and your blood sugar, who cares about a canary?

Mac says I’m outta here. Oh yes? says Carlota. Are you going alone, or are you going to join the runaway lovers? Mac says I’m going alone. I have to get out of this house where the air itself is pure bitterness.

Carlota says what are you going to live on? Are you going to mooch off your divorced friend? Or are you going to beg? Mac says I’m going to live off my inheritance. Our father left us both this house and I want my part.

Ha! says Carlota. You can’t live alone. You’re sick. Mac says I can take care of myself and I’m going to go see a lawyer. She leaves, Carlota’s evil laugh following her out.

Camila comes home and looks for Romina. Romina comes in the front door. Camila says I was worried – I thought you were sleeping. You were worried? says Romina. You say those things, but you’re actually the opposite. I can’t take it. I don’t matter to my father, to you, even to Emiliano.

Instead of telling her to get over herself, ever-patient and ever-doting Camila says what’s wrong? Romina says lies, gossip. Somebody told Emiliano that German and I had something going and he believed it. Camila says I warned you that it didn’t look good for you to be hanging around German. Romina wants Emiliano to beg her forgiveness and get back together with her. Camila says if he doesn’t want to date you, you can’t make him. You can’t force love.

Romina says I’m not a big giant loser like you. When Dad left, you didn’t do anything to try to keep him. I’m gonna get Emiliano back.

Joel comes in and finds Rafa sitting in his office, the blinds drawn. Joel tells him to go on home – Saturday is just a half day, and then you hang out with your friends. Rafa says he doesn’t have a lot of friends because he’s spent all his time working.

Joel says go home and have dinner with your wife and son. Rafa sighs and explains his wife thinks he’s a loser. Joel says chin up! There’s a possibility we might have a backer. Rafa says get real. This place is going to close and a big part of my life is going to close with it. Plus Diana and I are probably going to separate.

Diana meantime is at a spa with a girlfriend, where they’re in big fluffy white robes, getting facial massages. She asks her girlfriend what is was like when she lived in the DF. The friend says too many people, too much traffic. Diana says hopefully But a lot more fun things to do? Is it more expensive than here? Definitely, says the girlfriend. Diana dreams of a fancy home there, dinners at fancy restaurants. The girlfriend warns her that that’ll cost big time.

The girlfriend speculates that Diana maybe wants to go live there, or just rent an apartment and live there part-time? If so, Rafael must be earning really big! Diana smirks half-heartedly.

German has been waiting for Emiliano. Emiliano says don’t worry about that stuff last night. German says no, I want to explain! It turns out that Liliana just said those things to turn you and me into enemies and to piss off Romina. Emiliano really doesn’t want to get into all that and he doesn’t like being in the middle of gossip. German says he hates that his pal got caught up in it, and he feels bad that Emiliano might break up with Romina over something like that.

Emiliano says I already did and it was for other reasons. German fakes ignorance and says why? Emiliano says just other reasons, that’s all. German says if you do that, it’ll make it look like Liliana was right. German’s heart is just not into this speech and his eyes shift around.

We’re at the hospital, both Inaki and Paloma are being rolled in on gurneys. Inaki is calling out to Paloma and begs the gurney guys to call his mother and Emiliano to come take care of Paloma.

We are treated to the sight of Emiliano in a bath towel. He answers his phone. He gets the bad news and starts frantically grabbing for his clothes. Unfortunately, his towel doesn’t come untied.

The telenovela gods must have their moldy sacrifices, and so the writers have laid the requisite hospital scenes on their altar to placate them. We can’t FF through all this because there are some interesting developments interspersed among the clichés, so here we go:

Paloma is hooked up to beeping monitors and the doctor looks worried. We’re not because she’s in the opening credits, and besides, she’s the protagonista.

Emiliano has arrived at Carmen’s house. He gives her the bad news and says they have to tell Paloma’s family.

Carlota is at her lawyer’s. Ominous music plays. For some reason, in this show the ominous music always reminds me of thundering stuff they play in WWII movies when we see mighty destroyers making their way through the waves towards the enemy. Carlota says that Mac has gotten it into her head that a smaller house with just one floor would be better for them. The music thunders some more. The lawyer assures Carlota that she has managed Paloma’s money like a pro. Carlota says and what if Mac wants to sell the house and I don’t? The lawyer says one person can buy the other out, but they’d have to go through the courts and that takes forever and is expensive. Plus he doesn’t think Carlota would want everyone to know that there is a conflict.

Rufi and Mac are in the kitchen cooking. Rufi comments that nobody in town can bake like Mac. She could sell her stuff! Like to restaurants. They could do it together. They could name their business Just Desserts. Mac likes the idea but says she wishes Paloma was there to give her opinion. Rufi says you have to learn to make your life without her.

Mac wishes she would hear from Paloma. Plus she wants to tell her that she’s decided to get the hell away from Carlota.

Doorbell! It’s Emiliano with Carmen. They are startled to see Mac, and say they had heard she was in the hospital. She says no, I just went for some tests. Emiliano introduces Carmen to Mac who says Inaki’s mom! Have you heard from Paloma?

Dramatic pause.

Camila drops some bags on the sidewalk. A man rushes to help and guess what, it’s Orlando. Their eyes meet! A love song kicks in! This does not bode well for Rafa as a future galan for her – we never get a love song when he talks to her. Too bad. Orlando insists on carrying her bags. He’s excited to hear she has an art shop.

Mac is rushing to leave and Rufi begs her to call with any news. Just then Carlota arrives and politely bellows at Carmen What are you doing in my house? She starts to talk trash, but Emiliano cuts in and says Paloma has had an accident, so knock it off. Carlota actually looks upset.

For the ad break, we see Inaki with his big toothy smile. What a prince! I hope he makes it through.

Orlando and Camila have arrived at her shop. He likes it and so do I – I’d like to buy the place out. She thanks him and he says Why are you so sad? Your eyes look so sad. Hey, this guy is Deep. Camila says it’s nothing – just a fight with my daughter.

Though Deep, Orlando is not above using the usual single-guy lines: Oh, so you have a daughter? Well, it figures that a beautiful woman like you would have a husband and family. Camila says I’ve been divorced for some years. Orlando tries to suppress a small smile and the love song kicks in again.

German calls Romina and tries to get her to come over but she says after the photo caper, she can’t. He says too bad, I guess you’ll miss out on hearing about my conversation with Emiliano.

Chava is at the quesadilla stand with his grandma and won’t have a quesadilla until Emiliano shows up which he’s sure he will because he’s a stand-up, do-right guy.

The tias, Emiliano and Carmen rush into the hospital in Pachuca and beg the reception nurse for information. She reports that Inaki is okay, just a few scrapes and bruises. But when they ask about Paloma, she excuses herself for a moment.

Dios mio! says Mac.

The doctor appears out of the woodwork. Paloma’s critical. So ceritical that she’s hovering between life and death. (whatever. yawn.)

Mac comes unglued. Emiliano wants to know what they can do to save Paloma. The doctor says we need some type A blood. Mac says that’s her type – suck away! Carlota says diabetics can’t donate. Emiliano looks terribly noble and offers up his blood.

The doctor tells Carmen Inaki is pretty bunged up, but he’ll survive.

Romina is at German’s but she doesn’t think his news was big enough for her to come over. He comes on to her a little, but she laughingly says she better go. He says what about my prize? She says you get it when you get Emiliano to come back to me.

That’s all you care about, isn’t it? says German. Don’t you feel a little bad about what we’ve done? Romina seems to be searching her hard drive and then shrugs no. German says well I do. I feel like a total rat, a hypocrite. And all this just to get a bit of love from the woman I’m crazy about.

Romina says you’re boring me and she tries to flounce out but he grabs her arm. She says look, one thing I learned when my father left – guilt doesn’t help anything. If you want something, you fight for it tooth and nail and you don’t worry who gets hurt in the process. So if you’re not on the same wavelength with me, forget it.

Inaki tells his mom why they were heading back to Real del Monte. Carmen says Mac was never in the hospital. I knew it! says Inaki. He blames himself for what happened to Paloma and begs his mother to go find out if she’s out of danger.

Carlota bursts into the room and through gritted teeth announces to Inaki that she’s not only going to prosecute him for messing with a minor, she’s also going to prosecute him for attempted murder. If Paloma dies, you’re going to spend the rest of your life in prison!

Emiliano doesn’t look so red hot. It turns out he’s afraid of needles, but he’s given his blood. The nurse tells him they’ll bring him some OJ.

The doctor comes out to the waiting room and tells the tias that he has moved Paloma into intensive care and that they won’t know by tonight whether she’ll pull through. (zzzz.) Carlota wants to move her to a better hospital, but the doctor says she can’t be moved. Mac pleads with Carlota who gives in.

Mac heads off to the hospital chapel and Carlota asks the doctor where she can make a formal accusation. She wants Inaki arrested.

Mac is praying and flashing back on the night Paloma’s mother lay dying, and how her mother told Mac to love Paloma and care for her like a real mama. Sollozos all around.

The chapel. Candles. A big spray of white gladiolas. An angelic voice singing. Mac, tears streaming down her face, telling her rosary beads. Into this scene walks Emiliano and asks if he can pray with Mac. She’s praying so fervently he’s sure her prayers will be answered. Mac blubbers that Paloma’s life has been horrible and it’s all her fault, she’s so weak and she made so many mistakes.

Emiliano tells her to be strong and that Paloma is who she is, a wonderful woman, thanks to Mac. This is a nice sentiment so I forgive him his schmalzy acting in this scene.

Mac leans into him and dampens his shirt with her tears. She goes on and on about how Paloma’s sorry little life is all her fault.

Back in Real del Monte, Camila has dropped by to check up on Mac and gets the bad news from Rufi. Ay no!

Romina is trying to shove someone out the front door. It’s Liliana who pushes in. She says she knows about Romina buying the photos. Romina plays dumb and says all this for German? Lili says German’s a loser like you, I’m declaring war for Emiliano and for all people who get messed with by people like you.

Romina tells her good Samaritans have fallen out of fashion. Lili says who laughs last, laughs best. Camila comes in and Lili says she’d like to talk to her, but Camila says now’s not the time. She turns to Romina and says Paloma’s been in an accident and she’s dying.

Carmen has called Inaki’s dad who is very upset. He thinks Inaki’s irresponsible and that girl has caused nothing but problems. Carmen begs him to find a lawyer. She also scared that if Paloma dies, Inaki will never get over it. She asks him to give Inaki his emotional support.

She hangs up and we see next to her Emiliano who says feel better? She says you were right – it was a good idea to call him.

It’s early morning and we are treated to the amazing sight of Mac and Carlota conked out on the waiting room couch, Mac’s head on her sister’s shoulder, and Carlota’s head resting against hers. Sigh. The lion lying down with the lamb. That’ll last until the second they wake up.

Emiliano was sleeping in the waiting room too and he wakes and starts right in on today’s good deeds. He tells the duty nurse that Mac has diabetes and can the nurse arrange for her to have her daily shot? Whadda guy! He wakes Mac and goes with her to get her shot. Carlota falls back asleep.

Chris’s superior sees Chris off with his blessings, but I can’t tell if it’s for the 2-week retreat or for his assignment in Real del Monte.

Inaki’s dad and his wife arrive at Inaki’s hospital room. Inaki is asleep in his neck brace. Carmen throws her arms around Alonso and his wife looks like she feels a bit out of place.

Emiliano and Mac are back in the waiting room with Carlota. Emiliano offers to bring Mac something to eat. Mac says she can’t eat. Carlota says to Mac Quit acting like a child. Aren’t you embarrassed that you always need someone to take care of you? Emiliano says come on, let’s go to the cafeteria.

They start to leave, but Camila and Romina come rushing in. Romina says please tell me that Paloma is going to live, and she throws herself in Emiliano’s arms. Mac and Camila embrace. Carlota is disgusted by all these emotional scenes.

Alonso tells Inaki that a lawyer is on the way. Inaki says thanks, but what I’m really worried about is Paloma. I don’t want her to die!

Natalia says I’ll go talk to Carlota. Maybe she’ll recognize me and I can get her to retract her charges. Carmen says recognize you? Natalia explains her connection to Paloma’s mother and Inaki is astonished. You are the Natalia Paloma wanted to look for! Natalia is thrilled that Paloma remembered her and thought she could help them. And she will!

Emiliano and Romina are sitting in the hospital cafeteria. She tells him she didn’t realize how much she loved Paloma until she got the big news. Paloma is like a sister to her. They had such adventures growing up! Her aunt always tried to keep them apart. I don’t want her to die!

Neither to I says Emiliano kindly.

Okay, so nobody wants Paloma to die, apparently not even Carlota.

Carmen comes up and tells Emiliano Inaki wants to see him.

Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Natalia is telling Camila and Mac about her connection to Paloma while Carlota listens, disgusted. She says I don’t know why you’re so proud of being his stepmother – he’s ruined my niece’s life. Natalia says he’s a sweetheart who would never hurt anybody, so she hopes Carlota will retract her accusation of attempted murder.

Mac is stunned. Is that what Carlota is doing? Carlota says that and corrupting a minor and nobody’s going to make me change my mind. Camila looks at her agape. She starts to protest, but Carlota tells her to butt out. Carlota’s on a real roll and Natalia says Paloma’s parents would have reacted as Mac has, and she can’t believe that they left Carlota in change of Paloma.

The doctor comes in and says good news! Paloma’s going to make it. She’s regained consciousness. Everyone is thrilled, even Carlota breaks into a wide smile. The doctor says Paloma wants to talk to Inaki but she can’t be moved yet. And she wants to see her tia Macarena. Carlota’s face falls.

Inaki is worrying about Paloma, and Emiliano at his bedside understands. Inaki thanks him for giving blood and for everything. He’s in his debt. Emiliano says there are no debts between friends. Natalia bursts in and tells them that Paloma has pulled through. Big toothy smiles all around.

Suspenseful music. Carlota comes in to Paloma’s bedside and tentatively touches her sheets. She calls to Paloma who flutters her eyelids, then looks at her. Carlota actually asks kindly how she is and says how worried she’s been. Paloma says I asked to see Mac, where is she? Is she okay? Carlota says she’s fine, just worried like we all are.

Carlota strokes Paloma’s cheek gently. She says with Mac’s and my care, you’ll be back to your old self in no time. Paloma looks distressed. Carlota says what is it, my love?

Go away, says Paloma. I don’t ever want to see you again in my life. I’d rather die than to return to your house and to have to live with you.

Avances: Mac tells Inaki that she’s bringing charges against Carlota for her abuse of her authority over Paloma. Inaki says he wants to find out about the inheritance that he now hears (from Natalia?) that Paloma’s parents left her. Camila tells Mac that secrets held inside can fester into open wounds. The lawyer tells Carlota that when Paloma turns 18 she’s entitled to her money.

Labels: amor

Mao, Moni, Aldo, and Estrella are having a conference at the mansion when Moni receives a call. He's wrecked the company car. Conference canceled. Mau and Moni are off to the police station.We find ourselves at the police station where Hombre de M dropped us off over the weekend. Moni is not pleased to learn that Beto wasn't alone at the time of the accident...with a hooker and in the company's car! The nerve! The disgrace! Mao is more sanguine, at least no one was injured. Well, who should come running out but the always lovely Connie. "This is the shady lady?" The officer nods his assent. "Sí." Connie scurries to find solace in Mao's reluctant embrace as Monita looks on, stunned.

Back home in Naco Estates, Moni is excoriating poor Beto. "What was he doing with the car with Connie in the back seat? She demands that he drop his pants right there in front of God and everybody. She is going to examen him. Beto complies all the while pleading his case. He cautions a woman passing by not to pass out. He's under lots of stress from the job, needs to relax, maybe see a movie... she relents and sends him off. As Beto exits, Moni turns her attention to Estrella who has just walked up. "What were you thinking taking Dani and Aldo to your tryout?" Estrella knows she was out of line, but she finally got a job and will need Dani. "Find someone else." Well OK but Moni 's going to be coming to Estrella for help with Mau and Beto, you'll see.

At the big house, Mao is giving Aldo an earful over his latest crime, taking Dani off to the casting call with Estrella. More of ,"what were you thinking etc.?" and pointing out how this will certainly endanger the adoption if the judge finds out. Aldo's showing him the contract is not helpful to his case. "You're a minor!" Aldo offers to tear it up. He was just trying to help Estrella. Things are not good between them at this point.

Someone's been having fun, however. Stumbling in from their night out with great daquiris, Paula and Ximy have done some big time sisterly bonding. It's contagious. Paula has entered Ximy's wonderful world of rainbows and unicorns. Appealingly clad in one of Ximy's loaner-dresses she gushes to Moni about the wonderful night they had. She has learned the secret language and the secret signs. "What fun Paula is. She drinks like a sponge." Now Ximy needs a place to crash for a bit. The generous Moni fishes her apartment key from her cleavage and turns it over to Ximy. "The blue door," Moni points. Estrella is delighted with Paula's new look, "tell me about the reventon (blowout)."Moni wants to scold Estrella a bit more, but Estrella hears voices calling so Moni drags Paula off to work.

Back at the office, Mao, Connie, and Oscar are basking in the morning newspaper's account of Connie's adventure the previous night. Apparently the review is not so flattering. "Fashion Designer Arrested with Lover!" Oscar offers to help but Mao declines and leaves, Oscar points out to Connie that there are no lack of candidates for the wife-opening in Mao's life. Mao is off to see the judge about the adoption. He's got the medal she loaned him but after what happened the last time he wore it, she takes it back and gives an encouraging little peck instead. "Good luck,"he is wished by a worried-looking Moni.

In Sal's office, Beto is discussing his future in the company with Sal. Beto's ready to get back behind the wheel, but Sal thinks that he is better suited for a different position in the company. "OK," says Beto," where's my new office." In the utility/coffee room, Moni is attempting to revive Paula, who has sacked out and appears to be enjoying a pleasant dream, perhaps of strawberries and whipped cream. Oops, Beto is there and has had a change of uniforms, and apparently his new position does not appear to represent a move in an upward direction. He is wielding a back-scratcher. The new housekeeping togs are itchy. He wants to wear the suit and will discuss it with his pal Mauricio. "Oh no you won't!" Then Moni has got to speak to Mao about this revolting development. She declines but quickly rethinks her position when Beto points out a few details about their relationship that he could share with Mao.

A quick look back in the 'hood finds Aldo talking with Estrelle. Seems as though he's run away from home and now will be staying with her. She gives him an exasperated look. Yes, that's just what she needs.

In Sal's office, Moni is pleading Beto's case with Sal. At least allow him to wear the suit.They are interrupted by Mao who reveals that things didn't go all that well with thejudge. Bottom line, he has to get married. At a rare loss for words, Moni excuses herself, "I'll be outside." Flashing back to Beto's new office we find him in agony from the itchy outfit, utilizing the long handle of his dustpan to reach the right spot. Frustrated he drops his pants and attempts to scratch everywhere at once. His suffering is interrupted by the welcome appearance of Connie who initially scandalized, "Beto! You're naked!" is reassured by Beto that it's just his boxers and that he's burning with desire and it's not just the cheap outfit. She yields to his amorous assault. He has forgotten his urticarious misery for the moment. Her voice says , "No, no," but the rest of her says, "yes, oh my, yes." The heat index soars. The term in Spanish for the climate in the room is borchonoso.

Outside, Mao finds Moni at her desk (she actually has a desk?) and says, "We need to talk," and escorts her to (where else?) action central (the utility/coffee/game room). They overhear Connie in the throes of passion. They pause. Que the heck? "Sounds like a cat in heat," offers Moni, giving Mao's cell phone a chance to sound the alarm as well as detain them. It's Luisa, another crisis. Aldo's gone. Take care of it, Moni'll check on the cat. Connie hurries Beto. Pants still down around his ankles so he penguin shuffles into a closet. She recovers her composure and exits just as Moni is about to enter. Moni questions her about the noise but fortunately Connie does not have to explain anything to Moni. Moni enters and is about to catch Beto with his pants down, when the door opens. It's Gabi. Another crises. This time it's Paula. They hurry off and Beto, exhausted, shuffles out of hiding.

Aldo is pressing his case with Estrella. "Mauricio doesn't understand about what's going on between us..." "Ah, Chihuahua, what's going on between us?!" interrupts Estrella. "Well may I just stay one night?" Ximena emerges from Moni's apartment in time to overhear the rest. "No, no, no, and no!" objects Estrella. "Doesn't matter, I'll just go out in the street, but at least I can see you from afar when you go out." "Ah Chihuahua, you're the little bull...OK, my little bull, but for just one night." From afar, Ximy displays a mildly shocked but knowing look of revelation.

In the office, Moni and Gabi are attempting to resurrect Paula who has bunked out in the copy room. She had a busy night with her new best friend and needs to rest up for another reventon. "Another reventon ?!" Moni exasperates. "It's my birthday. Didn't you remember?"Paula asks Moni. Gabi congratulates her with a sweet kiss. Paula wants to continue napping but Gabi nixes that.

Mao, Connie, and Sal are in his office.Mao is on the phone with Bernarda discussing Aldo's disappearance .Connie is exasperated even more with the young man, as Sal reminds him that he needs to marry in order to keep the kids. Well, turns out that Connie can help with that little detail. Right now she must go to the boutique. "Call me."

At last Moni discovers Beto in the coffee room, with his trousers still around his ankles. He can't take this. As Moni scolds and threatens, Mao comes in so Beto appeals his case right to the top. He can't stand these clothes and ,anyway, the accident was , after all, an accident. He whines, Moni reproaches, and Mao caves. He'll find something else for Beto and grateful, Beto gives his soulmate a manly though unsolicited embrace. Now, can he confer outside with Moni? "Well of course," Beto graciously offers. Moni slaps him upside the back of his head as she follows Mau out.

Jerry and Oscar are relaxing at a table on a pleasant patio (anyone know where they are?) enjoying white wine and they are joined by Connie. Jerry greets her as the the next Mrs. Mao. Connie, not in the mood, says that right now Mau is more likely to marry Salvador and begins complaining about the ongoing distraction of the kids, especially Aldo who has disappeared and who deserves to be in a reformatory. Oscar is at work on that problem as she speaks, taking a phone call relating to the adoption proceedings. Things are looking good.The future lovebirds arrive in the barrio, Moni wants to have a word with Estrella. Nieves is hanging out laundry(don't clothes smell fresh when dried by the sun and breezes?). Ever the coquette, she checks her hair, smoothes her blouse, removes a clothespin from her collar,bats her eyelashes demurely, and wipes her hand carefullybefore offering it to this handsome hombre. Moni introduces him and Nieves introduces herself as Beto's mom. Uh oh. Moni quickly sends Nieves to prepare some of her delicious coffee. "Betos mama? Then isn't she..." Moni mumbles something about her and Beto being half sibs by way of a daddy and quickly changes the subject dragging Mau to Estrella's door where she aggressively knocks and then demands to know, "Where's Aldo?" She's not speaking to Moni, "What are you doing here, prince?" "Where's Aldo?" She has no idea . Now would he take Monita away since animals aren't allowed? She strands the two outside the apartment. Mao receives a call from Sal. "Did you agree about a new position for Beto?" "Yes." "Then it's true. We'll talk later." It seems that Beto has a new position as a security chief and is taking his job quite seriously. Beto proceeds in hassling the staff, demanding to see Gabi's ID badge (gafete). "Don't provoke the law, I'm the authority you know." Both can barely keep from cracking up. Gabi don't need no stinkin' badge.Estrella and Aldo emerge from her apartment. As he is about to leave he invites her for a movie when Nieve's rounds the corner seeking Moni and Mao. The coffee and empanadas are ready. Estrella shoos Aldo back inside. Nieves wants to know if and how much Estrella knows of the guapote(hunk) who is accompanying Monita. Not much it seems as she suggests that Nieves ask Moni, and disappears into her lair. Frustrated wth Estrella's lack of help, she shouts after her, "Tú eres una alcahueta" (you're a procuress), referring to her apparent enabling of Moni in betraying Beto.

Now back at home with Moni in tow, Mao confronts an unsympathetic emissary for the judge in the adoption case. "What's this about Aldo's disappearance?" he asks. "Was there an altercation or argument?" Monita takes exception to the tone. "And who is this?" he asks. "My personal assistant." Mao replies. The insensitive guy suggests that she not threaten him, meanwhile Moni observing that his tie and lapels aren't straight, offers to knock his teeth out as she pounces like a tigress to adjust them for him. Mao pries her of of the frightened and startled bureaucrat, who suggests a nuthouse for Moni (I'd be careful dude) and hauls her off into an adjoining room to cool down. Ever the calm, gracious hostess Teresa asks the trembling guy if she may offer him anything. He considers water or a soft drink but decides, "Nada!" Mao tries to counsel Monita about decorum; that his successful adoption depends on making a good impression (hey, I was impressed) and that she needs to think. Oops, wrong choice of words, she's outta here.

Nieves calls Beto to check on him. He tells her about his new job, then asks about Moni and she tells him that she was by here a bit ago with a good-looking guy but they left. It's their boss, he's not disturbed. She hangs up and looks heavenward, "Beto, what am I going to do with you?"

Jerry and Oscar have a plan. Well, Oscar does at least. He has aquired a tiny high-tech listening device and some knockout-drops. They are going to drug Beto and bug Mao. Uh oh.

Arriving home, Moni bumps into Ximena. She loves Moni's place. "Fight with Connie?" She queries. "Nope, Mauricio," is Moni's response. Ximena is somewhat sympathetic with Moni's infatuation with Mao. "You fight with the one you love,"she advises as she outlines a heart with her fingers. Also it just so happens that she knows the whereabouts of Aldo. She saw him go into Estrella's place earlier. Moni marches directly to Estrella's and drags Aldo out by his ear. and sends him home with a few choice words. "¡Sopenco (not a complement)!" She shouts as Estrella steps out and gives Aldo his jacket and an encouraging smile as she says that Moni's right. Ximena catches up and invites the two to a party as she returns Moni's key. She must hurry off to buy some birthday candles. "twenty or thirty?" After Ximena leaves, Moni turns to her friend and is surprisingly understanding of the situation between Estrella and Aldo, but cautions Estrella that risks are involved. You think? But after all they are best buds, especially now that Ximena has taken over as Paula's BFF. Hugs!

Back at the office, Beto has settled comfortably into his new job and has two of the pretty office workers bent over the reception desk, frisking them thoroughly if not to say lasciviously. When challenged by Gabi and Paula, he has Paula assume the position as well, bent over the desk. "Spread your legs," he demands. Dang, for the moment at least, I'm impressed. He confiscates something that looks like keys and as Gabi steps up to complain he has her go through the same. She objects. "¡Silencio!" He orders. Why is this man still alive at this point?

Connie arrives at Ximy's. Why didn't Ximy answer the phone? Is she hiding from Connie? "Because I'm not the same frivolous girl as before...Ay, I forgot to set the recorder for my novela." announces the new Ximena. She has new friends who work and has changed. (Let's hope not. ) "You're a pain," complains Connie. "I'd rather be a pain than be alone without friends like a dog." "I have thousands of friends,"Connie spits back. "Name three." (Good one Ximena.) "Where are you going?" She asks, ignoring the question. One of the new friends is Paula and they are going to a club for her birthday party that she organized. Connie inquires when and where. Doesn't matter, because, "ouch," Connie's not invited. Maybe a liter of ice cream for Connie. "Could you hand me my purse? Porfis." Connie is impactada.

Aldo has found his way back home. Mao and the judge's rep is there. He'll report back to the judge, it's his decision. He leaves. Aldo asks forgiveness. Moni set him straight. Mao is not pleased and sends the wayward lad to his room. Teresa asks if he fought with Moni because he's marrying the mummy, Oops, sorry. "Go fix dinner," Mao says Mao, a bit put upon by now.

All righty then, we've moved the action to the Mexican version of le Bare (a male strip club here in Houston). On stage is a policeman shedding his uniform to a tune with an insistent primal beat. Sitting at a front row table are Paula with a tiara, the birthday girl, Ximy, the organizer, Gabi, Moni , and Estrella. Conspicuous by her absence is Connie. Well boohoo. The girls are toasting as Gabi wants one of the dancers/waiters to get his pretty butt out of her face, "a little decorum," she requests. Moni looks troubled.

At the office with Sal, Mau muses, "Have you noticed that each time there's trouble with the kids, someone from the judge's office shows up?" Hmm. Strange. Too much of a coincidence. He calls Moni but no answer. "She's at a birthday party for Paula,"Sal informs. "Do you know where?"

Outside the club, Sal points out that it's for women only. They aren't allowed in but Mau must talk with Monita. Mau overhears the security guard asking for Daniel Renteria, a dancer. He's been delayed. Mao walks up to the guy at the door. "I'm Daniel Renteria." "And who's this?"Asks the guard. "My partner (pareja)." They go inside.

Inside the club the girls are living it up. Ximena (Looking babelicious) is sitting in a chair onstage. This clearly might not be her first visit. She is surrounded by hunks. All but Moni are having the time of their lives. Mau and Sal search. Hey fellows, they're down front.

Back at the office, Jerry distracts agent Beto with hamburgers and beer while oily Oscar wires Mau's office while the club Gabi who is somewhat tomada (remember that word from last week?) spots Sal and moves in for the kill. "Don't tell me that you're the director at Seremano by day and strip by night." She is definitely titillated and in the mood . He resists, but I don't give him much of a chance.

Jerry finds Oscar at work bugging Mao's office. Oscar asks if he took care of Beto. "Yes, he should be half dead from the knockout drops." Well, not quite. An intense Beto appears with nightstick ready. Busted.

Once more at the club, even Monita has loosened up. On stage guys in fatigues are doing an ensemble dance to an instrumental version of Macho Man. The girls are down front in a frenzy. The dancers separate making way for a solitary dancer in fatigues and SWAT helmet with goggles completely obscuring his face. Gee I wonder who this masked man might be. He strips. The estrogenic crowd, intoxicated by the heavy fog of testosterone and pheromones, goes wild. Moni likes. Suddenly he reaches out to invite her onstage. She seems scandalized but is pushed forward by helpful amigas. Well the mystery dancer pulls her close and reveals his familiar visage. Shock! It's Mauricio. "Perdoname,"he pleads.

Labels: gancho

Previouslies: the tape of Lili saying "I Vant To Be Alone" - Barb threatening Flor with dismissal if she breathes a word of Villagana's visit.

• Fer cries a little listening to the tape of her sister saying she's never coming back.
  
  
• Lili explains to Cero: "La Hiena said it would keep my dad calm if I said this! And it's true, I don't want to go back, let's you and I stay here together." Cero: "But Barbara knows where you are." "But I feel safe here." "You think the son of Ana Gregoria will take care of you."
  
  
• In a repetitive set of scenes, Fr/Ed feeds Barbara's line to Fer: that they should not get the police involved, it will just complicate things, better they should find a private specialist who could listen to the tape and ascertain if Lili spoke under duress and if she's really ok. Fer is shocked and upset he is taking this position. They both seem to think it's Obregon who has Lili.
  
  
• Cero reads Ana's words to Lili: "For fear, I didn't go back to the hacienda, sure that Cristeta would have told my mistress what she saw in the workroom. I didn't even dare write what happened. A few days ago the mistress sent Soledad to find me, but I pretended I was sick and said I'd be back when I felt better.
  
  "Yesterday I saw "el patron" in the horse ring, but I didn't approach him - I didn't dare look him in the face, I would die as I died in his arms."
  
  "Then, Ana Gregoria was in love with Grampa Jerónimo?" Lili breathes wonderingly. "Yes," says Cero, "but the question is, was he in love too, or was it just a caprice?"
  
  Cero reads a little more - Ana is hiding in a cave, cold and frightened. "Her hell has come sooner than we imagined." He asks Lili if she's upset for Ana, or for her own hell. "She should never have gone back to the hacienda," Lili whispers, "like me."
  
  
• Daffy hears the tape. And finally he has an opinion of his own: it's time for the police. In a repetitive set of scenes, Daffy gets madder and madder and yells at Barbara that he will not agree to keep this in the family - because "we the inept" haven't been doing very well. She gets more frantic and he gets more determined. He yells at Flor to get the police on the phone, but the guy is out of his office.
  
  Later, Barb lays it on hard, trying to get Daffy to back down, but he is adamant, he will call the police. She tries her fake tears, she yells and says "you said we were a partnership and would decide everything jointly! You don't care about my feelings!" He says he's tired of being manipulated. Flor rings - there is a milk engineer to see him. Barb flounces out.
  
  
• Barb yells at Fr/Ed that the police must be kept away. Fr/Ed reluctantly agrees to enlist Fer's help in dissuading Daffy from going to the police.
  
  Fr/Ed starts pressing for the answer to an obvious question: "When did you see Lili?" Barb says she won't answer, "for my stepdaughter's sake."
  
  
• I was so bored by that scene, it was a relief to get out of the office to the horse ring, where Cam is riding in circles and Luffly is bored in the bleachers. Esteve calls and she tells him Cam wants to hold the wedding reception at the horse club. Esteve: "Have you forgotten we're teaching him a lesson? I want to be sure you don't go too far!" Luffly assures him she's on board with the plan, hangs up, and cheers Cam with fakey little nasal squeals.
  
  "Say hello to Kayser," Cam says proudly, and tells her to hop on board. She makes up some lie about falling off a horse when she was little. He says if she's going to marry an Arabian prince, she'll have to ride, so "get on, princess." They start to kiss, she pushes him away - she can't give him [the delicious surprises she has planned] here in the horse ring.
  
  
• Damian and Pris make a peevish pair. While Vladimir, somewhere, cuts a picture of Prisila out of a brochure and strokes it, saying "I love you, my angel," Prisila - who earlier called Fer, to the latter's surprise, asking if she could help at the artisan cheese fair - says she'll spy for Damian at the fair, Franco is sure to be there. She admits Damian has fulfilled his half of the bargain, Vlad hasn't been badgering her.
  
  Damian irritably lists all the things that are getting in his way: the cheese fair, the trouble with Aurora, the kidnapping.
  
  Pris hands him some contraceptives. She talks about exchanging them for sugar pills so Fer will get pregnant. Dam says Fer is a virgin, they haven't had sex yet. Pris says "Then she's not in love with you, accept it! When a person rejects sex, there is no love, I'm in a position to know that." He says he'll reconquer Fer and she will be his wife till the end of time.
  
  They talk a little about Rubiel and his visit to Lactos. Damian thinks his crooked cousin Jacobo will fix everything.
  
  
• Fer is surprised when Franco (in a particularly doting mood) comes into her office; she'd thought he'd left the building. She asks that he and Esteve come to the cheese fair, and he says they'll be there. She thanks him for his support. She cries, she's so sad that Lili doesn't want to see the family any more. "Now what did you come back to tell me?"
  
  "Fer, please help convince your dad not to involve the police!" She frowns.
  
  "If the police get involved everyone will find out I sprung Lili from the loony bin, and they'll lose confidence in me and I'll have to go - and I don't want to be separated from you. I want to be with you. I came back for Lili, but now I want to be - near you -" he takes her hand, "I want to be at your side. I can't forget what happened out at the country house. All my happiness is to be with you."
  
  "Why do you tell me this exactly now?" she asks, clearly moved. "I've been shouting to you in silence, but now, my fear of losing you forces me to say, I love you - " holds her hand - kisses her! [Nice kisses.] They kiss some more. Then -
  
  "Erika," Fer points out. And then we have the usual, "yes, well YOU are married." "yes, well YOU are GETTING married." He says he's profoundly in love with her (Fer), and piteously suggests, "I know all this, I love and respect you, just - let me stay close." "Till you marry Erika?"
  
  He admits he doesn't love Err but he's going to marry her anyway because he promised to when he was feeling so lost. "... and Damian mentioned a kid..."
  
  "We'd better change the subject," suggests Fer. Franco reiterates, he will do what it takes to get Lili back. Fer says she'll do what she can to deflect Daffy, because, "I don't want to lose you either." They cry in each other's arms.
  
  "We can't go through all this again. We're not kids, this isn't getting us anywhere." They are pulling themselves together when who should bop in unannounced but Errika! She's come to ask Fer to help her pick out wedding invitations because Fer has exquisite taste. Fer and Franco exchange pained looks as Errika twines her hand in his and gives him kisses.
  
  They tell Errika about Lili's kidnapping and lamely explain Fr/Ed is on the job trying to get Lili back.
  
  Fr/Ed bolts and Errika says cheerily, "If you weren't my best friend I'd think you were hitting on my fiance!"
  
  Fer tells Errika she needs to leave for a while. She goes to Daffy who is huffing and puffing with rage, he yells at Flor but it's really Barb, he admits, he's angry with, nobody obeys me! He really, really wants to call the police.
  
  Fer tries to calm him down before he does anything and quietly says she, too, thinks it's best not to have the police involved.
  
  
• Barb goes to Purificación to talk to the nuns - she asks for the Mother Superior.

Tomorrow: Fer sees Gardenia planting a kiss on Fr/Ed's handsome kisser!

Labels: manana

This episode starts off with the usual leftovers. The new stuff begins with Germán following Emiliano as he leaves the party. Germie wants to make sure that things are okay between them. He tells E that E can be sure that nothing happened between Germie and Romina; Germie declares that he’d never betray Emiliano’s friendship that way. Germie is uncomfortable during this conversation, but we can see he really doesn’t want to hurt his friend, he’s just caught up with his feelings for Ro. E tells him not to worry, he didn’t believe what Liliana had to say. E tells Germie he’s heading home and asks Germie if he’d make sure that Ro gets home after the party. Germie agrees.

Joaquin, Camila’s attorney, gives her a call. He’s been looking over the prospects of investing in Rafael’s ceramics company. Joaquin tells Cami that it is a risky investment, the factory has been operating in the red and he’s sure she’d lose money if she invested. He tells her that it is ultimately her decision, but he’s advising her to not invest because of the risk. Cami is sad to hear this.

Back at the party, the three muchachas are discussing how Romina failed to pay up for the pictures of her kissing Germie. The three plot, that with Lili’s accusations this evening perhaps there could be a different buyer for the pics. They decide they are going to offer them up to Lili so she can prove her accusations. Happy with their plan, the three exit el baño and fail to notice Romina coming out of one of the stalls, all the wiser to their plot.

Emiliano wonders about Lili’s accusations, but says they aren’t true. They could be true, I mean, after all, he himself has feelings for Paloma. His mind wonders to her and how he would never betray Iñaki, but still Emiliano can’t forget her.

On the walk home Germie tells Ro how terrible he feels about lying to Emiliano. He begs Romina to end it with E. She says there is no way she can do that, especially right now. If she were to end it with E, it would be like admitting that what Lili said was true and right now E believes that there was nothing between the two of them (Ro and Germie). Germie’s personal guilt is nagging him, he’s not so sure. Romina tells him she’s more concerned with getting her hands on the photos of them kissing.

Ro comes home and Cami asks her about the party. Ro says that all the buzz was about Iñaki and Paloma leaving town….in Ro’s mind it distracted away from the party and this ticked her off. Then there was the whole thing with Macarena getting sick and how Cami was all to quick to blow off Ro’s party. Cami doesn’t like to hear the selfishness in her daughter and scolds her by reminding her that Ro didn’t even want her mother at the party in the first place, a party that Cami paid for, in addition, Cami gave Ro a car for her birthday even though her grades are poor. Ro isn’t in the mood to get scolded after the night she’s had, so she storms off to her room—ending the discussion.

Iñaki prepares a breakfast (via room service) for Paloma. She wakes up and is happy to see how detailed her boyfriend is. He asks how she slept and she tells him that after her nightmare, she slept really well. She is worried about her Aunt Mac and she wonders how she can find out how she’s doing. She suggests calling Romina (and mentions that she feels terrible about missing her party). Iñaki says that she’s probably still asleep. “You’re right,” Pal says. Iñaki suggest they call his mother. They can have Carmen go over to Pal’s house under the ruse of trying to find out if they have any information on where Iñaki and Pal went. Carmen then could talk to Mac and find out how she’s doing and relay the information back to them. Pal is pleased with Iñaki’s plan and tells him he’s a genius.

Carlota arrives at Camila’s to take Mac to the doctor. Mac tells her that Cami’s going with them. Carlota doesn’t like this idea and says that if Cami goes, she’ll stay home. Mac says do whatever suites you and then asks Cami if she’s ready to go. Cruelota is surprised that her manipulations aren’t working. I’m sure her mind is spinning with ways to try and break up this friendship.

Rafael and Emiliano have a corazon a corazon talk. E admits that his feelings for Romina aren’t what they should be, he’s not happy in the relationship. Rafa questions if E’s feelings are related to Lili’s accusations the night before. E says nope, he believes nothing happened between Germie and Ro. Rafa’s glad he isn’t falling prey to gossip, however, if his feelings for Romina aren’t what they should be, then perhaps it would be best for E to end it.

Carmen returns home with a bouquet of girasols (sunflowers). She calls out to Arcadia, who isn’t home. When the bell rings, she thinks it is Arcadia returning without keys and she opens the door without checking to see who is there. It is Cruelota, there to pressure for information about Iñaki and Paloma. Cruelota tries some threats--- perhaps being a stranger in the country has made Carmen unaware that Iñaki’s committed a crime: taking off with someone who is underage and corrupting a minor. These are some crimes that he'll end up doing hard time in the carcel. Cruelota, thinking that Carmen knows where the “fugitives” are and is in contact with them, lets Carmen know that Mac’s health has been affected. She lays it on thick and says that Mac’s been hospitalized.

Mac and Cami arrive at the hospital and they are greeted by the doctor (you know, the one from the coffee date). He’s there to oversee her testing, personally.

Paloma tells Iñaki that she knows they’ll be happy in Madrid, but it still seems weird to be leaving Real del Monte. She wonders if they’ll have time in DF for Iñaki to meet up with his father. Iñaki isn’t too keen on the idea, after all his dad was against their love, besides he doubts there will be time. Pal decides that after they are legitimately married they’ll have to return to Mexico and then father and son will have to have a talk and work things out.

Emiliano goes to see Romina. He tells her that he’s not in love with her. Ro is shocked to hear the words and she wonders if this is because he truly believes what Lili accused her of last night. E says that has nothing to do with how he feels. Their relationship is just not working and it would be best if they ended it. Romina asks, “best for whom?” E says best for them both, it really isn’t working and they obviously don’t feel the same for each other. Romina says they can work it out. E tells her that it is too late for that. Romina begins to wonder if there is more to this and she asks him “if this isn’t because of what Lili said, it must be because there is someone else, right?”

Pal and Iñaki discuss how isolated her life was before he came into it. She wonders if they weren’t to have found each other if she would have continued to live her life without love.

Emiliano avoids answering her accusation and says that it is because their relationship isn’t working and there are no more explanations. Ro decides to switch gears, she tells E that she planned on him being her first. He’s grateful for the sentiment, but in light of how he feels it is for the best that they never had sex. He tells her that her first time should be with someone special. She can’t believe he’s basically pushing her off on another (as to be determined) man. E tells her that she is deserving of so much more than he is able to offer. She deserves more than the half love he’s been giving (his own version of the “it’s not you, it’s me” speech) and he leaves. Romina calls him stupid and flops down in the chair. Now she is left with nobody, she tells herself.

The three girls call Lili and offer up the photos, for 5,000 pesos. Lili seems to agree to the deal—they are to meet at noon at some address, across from the park. Lili thinks this is luck, I think it is an outrageous amount of money to spend on proving yourself right.

Arcadia arrives at la casa de las tías looking for Cruelota. Rufi recognizes her, but Cruelota scoots Rufi away and takes Arcadia out back for a private conversation. Arcadia tells Cruelota she lost her job and needs some money. Cruelota takes off to get the cash. She returns with a somewhat small wad of twenties. Arcadia is offended at the sum and demands more or else she’ll spill the beans on Cruelota messing with Iñaki and Pal’s romance. Cruelota reminds her that it will just be Arcadia’s word against Cruelota’s---subtext: since this isn’t a classless society, and I’m from the upper echelon and you are just a poor working stiff, who are they going to believe. Arcadia didn’t just fall off the turnip truck, she’s got the original letter that Paloma wrote to Iñaki, the letter that Cruelota told her to destroy. Cruelota plays it cool, this proves nothing, only that Arcadia’s got the letter, there is no link to Cruelota. That said, Cruelota orders Arcadia to leave, she doesn’t like being blackmailed. Arcadia tells her that she’ll regret this, because she’s going to pay.

Meanwhile, in some other part of Mexico, Cristobal is visited by the moley priest (don’t know his name and does it really matter?). Father Mole tells Cristobal that he thinks a retreat will give Cristobal the perspective he needs on dealing with his past. Cristobal isn’t so sure. FM tells him that it will allow Cristobal time to reflect on the past, to examine and reconfirm his vows.

Cami and the doctor discuss how worried they are for Mac. The doctor sings Mac’s praises and lets Cami know that he’s really interested in Mac. Cami agrees to help get the couple together.

Ro calls Germie and tells him she needs his help with a little matter.

Carmen calls Iñaki. Pal answers the phone because he is driving (these two are like the poster children for the total up-and-up youth of today, I doubt you’d find either one of them texting and driving). Pal asks about Mac and Carmen avoids answering the question. She tells Pal she needs to talk to Iñaki, so have him call her when he’s got a chance, and then she hangs up. Pal starts to freak out, Carmen hung up on her and never answered her question about Mac. Iñaki pulls the car over, and calls his mother (see what I mean, he even gets out of the car to make the call). She tells him of Cruelota’s threats. He’s not going to allow Cruelota to terrorize him. She tells him the news of Mac being in the hospital. This is not good, he thinks to himself, or so it seems because there was no "thought bubble" voiced over.....sometimes you've just got to tell by the acting what they are thinking---you know the old fashioned way.

Ro meets up with the three extortionists. They agree to sell her the photos, for triple the price. Ro also wants to make sure the original shot is deleted from the camera. They apparently all agree to the deal.

Meanwhile, somewhere else, Germie is stalling Lili so she won’t make it to the noon meeting. They go round and round about Germie and Ro. Germie swears there is nothing between them. Lili asks him to swear on his mother’s memory. He does (this is sure to come back and bite him at a later point, it is just bad juju). Lili doesn’t believe him and she tells him so. She’s going to prove that Romina is a zorra and that Germie is the pobre diablo messing around with her.

Emiliano runs into some kids in the park. He joins in their pick-up game of soccer.

Pal panics when Iñaki tells her about Mac. She thinks they should head back to Real del Monte, ASAP. Iñaki thinks this is just what Cruelota planned….they don’t even know if it is true. He suggests they give Emiliano a call. So they try, but his phone is in his backpack and he’s probably too busy scoring the winning goal to hear. So Iñaki leaves a message. How about calling Romina? They try, but get no answer. Pal starts to panic some more.

Cami and Mac discuss the doctor. Cami urges her friend to not write him off and to not close the door on the possibility of a little romance.

Ro gives Germie the photos. He asks about the original shot. Deleted from the phone chip, Romina happily tells him. “Now I can work on getting back together with Emiliano,” she says. Germie isn’t pleased to hear this. He tells her she should just accept it is over between her and E. Besides, now the road is clear for the two of them to be together. Ro doesn’t like this idea, it will reflect poorly on her if she runs to Germie right after E breaks up with her. This will make it look like Lili’s accusations were true (need I be the one to remind her, the reason they look true is because they are true). Germie doesn’t like this one bit.

Iñaki reluctantly agrees to head back to Real del Monte, since they’ve not been able to get an answer from anyone about Mac. Pal says it will just be a quick visit to town, get the info and then head back out to follow their plan to run away to Spain and get married. Iñaki likes the sound of this. They buckle up (further cementing their status as poster children for how to be a safe teen driver) and he starts to turn the car around. Pal kisses him and kisses him. He’s distracted and doesn’t see the big truck headed toward them, until the horn blasts....oops, I spoke too soon about the safe teen driver, perhaps I jinxed them. END OF EPISODE

Labels: amor

Melanama suggested that to see if I'm capable of posting tomorrow's recap of Gancho, (thanks to Sylvia last week's got posted) that I do an introductory post. I'm a seasoned family physician who graduated from med school 40 yrs. ago when we were still using leeches, bleeding our pts, and surgery was done using whisky and a bullet to bite on for surgical anesthesia. I began learning Spanish when we acquired a Pitbull and moved from the burbs to escape the pitchfork and torch wielding neighbors. This resulted in a 45 min. commute that I decided to take advantage of to accomplish a dream, that is, to learn Spanish. I ordered Spanish I of the Pimslear Method from Sharper Image. It proved effective and about a year and 1/2 later I had completed the 3 basic courses and a shorter supplemental course. By then I had watched my first TN, the unforgettable Ramona (sans CCs mind you, lots of rewinding and dictionary searching).

Wanting more I found the perfect tutor, thanks to a pt. who is a high school Spanish teacher. She referred me to a beautiful (I'd probably hit on her if I weren't such a gentleman and didn't need a tutor so badly ) Latina, originally from Guadalajara who is a retired Spanish professora. We've studied together for at least 6 yrs. She asked me at the beginning what I wanted to learn and I told her that I wanted to master the Spanish language...so she's locked in until I exit stage left.

We've read and discussed, I say with pride, fairly extensively and diversely including poetry of Pablo Neruda, Novelas of Gabriel Garcia Marquéz, including of course Cien Años de Soledad, writings of Jorge Borges and Sor Juana de la Cruz, plays of Federico Garcia Lorca, a precious little Novelita by Pedro Antonio de Alarcon, el Sombrero de Tres Picos, as well as more contemporary works, el Sombra del Viento by Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Detectives Salvages by Roberto Bolaño. At the moment we are a bit less than halfway through 2666 also by Roberto Bolaño.

I've watched way too many TNs, even for someone learning Spanish to justify. My name is Carlos and I'm a TN addict. I discovered Caray Caray while looking to order some Cocolbosh (a mythic TN chocolate product). I lurked, eventually I commented and here I am. I absolutely adore un Gancho al Corazón, and hope that you'll join me here in reliving what happens each Mon. night.

Labels: gancho, recapper-intro

Capítulo #123

As we return to Villa Madera, it’s been another long night. Venus returns home late to Las Animas and lies to Fr/Eduardo that things are going swimmingly with Camilo, so well that she thinks she’s falling in love with him despite the warnings he and Estev gave her; Barbara learns from a frantic Santiago that Dominga is dead and that in reality, Aurora never knew her parents.

Speaking of Ah-wah-wah, she’s at it again. Standing by her overly moonlit bedroom window at the convent, she sobs gobs about the mess she’s made of her life by being so foolish and gullible. She tells herself she’ll never in her life manage to make up for the terrible sin she committed with Santiago’s brother, Camilo. She prays that the Lord will give Santi a woman he truly deserves because once he finds out what Cad did to her, she is sure he will think she is trash. She can only hope that Santiago just forgets about her (much the same way many of us wish we could forget about her).

Santi and Babs are still discussing Rory’s possible whereabouts and all the places he went looking for dear Ah-wah-wah in Pueblo Purificación. He tells Babs he lied about his and Ah-wah-wah’s meeting in Guadalajara and that she’d never actually stepped foot out of Purificación till the day he met her. He mentions that he even went to the convent school she attended but that the mother superior hadn’t been any help; and (of course) he doesn’t think the nun would lie to him about it. Babs conveniently gets the name of the convent from him. Then, suddenly, Santi has a flashback to the man who came to Dominga’s house looking for Aurora right after the fire. He puts it all together and realizes that the man, who coincidentally looks like his father he tells Babs, was the same man who sent the money grams for Rory. He is sure that this man followed them back to Villa Madera and was the same one who must have taken her. Once Babs hears this, it’s her turn to begin to put two and two together about Artemio Bravo.

A bit later in Santiago’s studio, Fernanda argues with Santi because he told Barbara the truth about Aurora. She scolds him because they have plenty of reason not to trust Barb’s motives and for all they know, she says, Barbara could have been the one who hired the man to make her disappear. Santi, grasping at straws, naively argues that Babs has changed and feels guilty for supposedly not stopping the man when she had a chance. In fact, he says, Barbara herself left to hire a private detective to look for the man. He then begs Fer not to mention it to their father since he’s already under enough stress because of Lili’s being kidnapped. (Like she would?) Fer says she doesn’t mean to be the bearer of bad news [ave de mal agüero = literally, bird of bad omen] but she has no reason to believe in Barb’s supposed good will. Santi says he’s reached his limits and is clinging to the slim hope, absurd as it may be, that she shows up soon.

Meanwhile, Barb pays a visit to Artemio Bravo to tell him they’ll need some proof that Lili is still alive and well or else Gonzo will get the police involved in the search for her. She suggests they give Gonzo what he wants. Bravo agrees because he believes that it will cause her husband even greater anxiety. He mentions in passing that Lili keeps telling him that Eduardo Juarez will come to rescue her. The Barbot’s antennae go up again.

In another part of the manse, Lili and Ciro the Friendly Phantasm continue reading Ana Gregoria’s diary. Ciro stops to ask Lili if she realizes that her chances of getting out of there continue to be less and less. Lili doesn’t seem to mind and thinks Bravo may not be such a bad man. Ciro answers in cryptic chess terms that The Black King is a solitary person who bases his game on hate and vengeance; but The White Queen’s strength is her love. She asks if The Black King will win the match. Ciro (who by now is giving us all Yoda flashbacks out the wazoo) answers that the game’s barely begun and says that the pieces are all in their places on the board. Lili must be patient and play intelligently.

Ciro reads further into Ana Gregoria’s juicy diary:

“The mistress goes to church seven days a week and prays to Saint Ramon of the Unborn because she wants to have lots of children. The cook, Cristeta, though, says that if the Señora wants to make sure she gets pregnant again, it isn’t praying that she should be doing. Hmph! What do I know? It frightens me plenty because then the patrón eats breakfast alone and sends for me to attend to him.”

We do a little time-travel and see Don Jeronimo eating by himself in the dining room. He asks the shy Ana why she doesn’t go to mass with his wife. Ana says that the Señora, Alta Gracia, doesn’t like her to go with her. DJ tells Ana not to be afraid and then hands her an ink pen (for the diary he gave her we assume). He says it was a gift from his father and now he wants her to have it. He asks where some sort of decorations his wife puts out at Christmas are kept and she says they’re in the store room. Cristeta comes into the dining room at that point with more coffee and gets suspicious when she sees Ana standing there talking to Don Jeronimo. DJ tells Cristeta no, if he needs her he’ll have Ana come get her. Cristeta shoots daggers out of her eyes at Ana and leaves the room.

Jeronimo makes sure Cristeta is out of earshot before speaking again. He tells Ana he’ll meet her in that store room the next morning while his wife is at mass. (Well, now we know where Cad gets it from.) Ana says she can’t close her eyes all that night because all she can do is think about this meeting the next day. Her heart is in her throat [literally, in her mouth / el corazón en la boca]. --Ciro adds as an aside that it seems that Lili’s grandparents only had one child, her daddy, Gonzo.

They continue reading:

Ana says she’s relieved the next morning so see that when she gets to the store room there’s no one there. She’s hoping Don Jeronimo either forgot or overslept [pegársele los sabanas = getting stuck to the sheets]. Ana climbs up the ladder and starts checking inside the baskets conveniently on the top shelf. Don Jeronimo, noticing her bare shins and ankles, can barely control his desire. He speaks to her from behind and startles her. She turns around and her bare knee is sticking out from her jumbled skirts. He stares longingly at that knee and gently helps her down the ladder. He pulls her close to him and the seduction begins. Ana doesn’t fight it….. Let’s just say she enjoys it as much as he does and when it’s over she says she feels safe in his arms. “Everything was fine until the noise. There was Cristeta. I don’t know how long she was there watching.—“

Just then Bitch Barbie appears menacingly at Lili’s door and enters the room. (Crap! Story-time is over.) “I just found out something I want you to explain.” BB pulls Lili by the hair and starts screaming at her. “You miserable, crazy girl! Just where did you get that Eduardo Juarez was going to come rescue you! Where??!!”

Back at the hacienda, Fernanda runs into her father coming downstairs. He asks where Babs is and then says he remembers Babs told him she was going to church for mass. Fer thinks to herself that Barb is such a freekin’ liar, and that no way Barbara went to mass let alone left to interview a detective like she made Santiago think she was. Gonzo asks after Damian and then nearly passes out. (Not quite the “big one”, ‘Lizbeth, but close.) Fer fusses over her daddy and wants him to lie down. Gonzo admits he’s just so upset at what’s happened with Lili and his inability to do anything about it but he refuses to admit to his illness. “Just a little rise in my blood pressure is all.” She tries to calm him down by saying that soon Franco will come to some arrangement with Obregon and Lili will come back home to them.

BB tells Lili that Eduardo is dead. Artemio walks in on them and says obviously Lili doesn’t believe it because she’s waiting for Eduardo to come for her. He suggests that she should not underestimate the girl, but Barb says she’s delusional. ”Look at her. Does she look sane to you?” Bravo asks her again why she thinks Eduardo Juarez is coming to rescue her. Ciro shakes his head not to let on. Lili stares off into space and says nothing.

At Las Animas, Ed warns Estev that it’s time to bring the farce with Cadmilo Elizalde to an end. Estev wonders why. Ed says he’s worried about the turn things are taking. He asks if Estev has spoken with Venus about it lately. Estev says he did the night before and she was perfectly fine with everything and he wants to play it out to the very end. Ed tells him that he better think twice because Venus admitted to him last night that she was falling in love with Camilo. Estev, who has just been hit on the head with anvil numero uno, is muy impactado.

At the same time, Venus stands in front of her mirror and cries, knowing she is too changed to return to the old life and seemingly not pure enough to begin a new one with her true love, Mr. Estev. (Redemption, methinks, is in the air, so near and yet so far, far away.) As violins pull at the heart strings, Viewerville sheds a tear for our dear working girl.

Back in the study, Estev tells Ed that Venus has to have been joking. He says he can’t believe she’d actually fall for trash like Cad Elizalde. Ed seems to believe her and says there’s no reason she couldn’t. So, he warns, it’s time they put the brakes on this game of theirs. Estev bangs the walls with his fist. “It’s incredible! The guy is such a jerk!” Ed answers that they obviously failed in their calculations. Estev spent so much turning Cad into the “perfect boy friend” that now Venus wants to forget her past and to continue being what she has become: Lovely. Estev’s voice cracks a bit. “Did she really tell you she was happy with this parasite?” “—Unfortunately, yes she did… and that she was falling in love.” Ed claps his BFF on the shoulder in a show of sympathy. Just then Gardenia brings them coffee. She hands Ed his with a special come hither look in her eyes which Ed awkwardly ignores.

Once Denia’s gone, Ed explains his problem with Denia. “Estev, I don’t know what to do! She told me last night that if I was going to marry Errika without loving her, I might as well marry her instead.” Estev wants to know what he told her, but Ed says he couldn’t answer her because the conversation got cut short. Ed says he doesn’t know what to do or say to Denia because he truly does not want to hurt her feelings. Estev hasn’t got an answer for him either, but says Ed definitely needs to tell her something and fast, because there’s no telling what a woman will do when she feels rejected. (Spurned women-alert! Spurned women alert! Estev call your office!)

Back at Bravo’s, BB is demanding an answer from Lili. Ciro asks her if she realizes how it drives Barbara mad when she talks about Eduardo Juarez. Bravo pulls Barbara off Lili at that point and tells BB that he now thinks Eduardo Juarez is still alive. Barb says they’ll have to discuss that later on and pulls out a tape recorder to record something from Lili that will pacify Gonzo.

Across town at Damian’s sleezy cousin, Jacobo’s, law office, Rubiel Villasana has angrily accused Jacobo of bribing the court’s secretary to drop his case against Damian. Jacobo asks him what proof he has. Rubiel says he has his sources and warns Jacobo that Dam’s crime will not go unpunished. “That swindler, Damian Gallardo, is to blame for my mother’s death!” Jacobo insists “his client” was free for lack of evidence and says in any event, the fault lies with the company’s legal representative. He tries then to talk Villasana out of wasting his time and money in a case that won’t go anywhere. Jacobo then swears –or bluffs, cuz who knows-- that he has numerous witnesses that have sworn Damian always comported himself efficiently and honestly in his position as financial auditor for the company. Villasana loses his patience and storms out of the office, screaming at Jacobo to tell Damian Gallardo that his crime will not go unpunished.

Speaking of criminal minds, upstairs in Damian’s bedroom Pris mentions to Dam that Fer hasn’t said anything to her about the business with Vladimir yet. Dam says she hasn’t touched on it with him either. Pris gets after Dam for not pushing it and fixing the problem already. He gets upset and snaps at her. It’s not like he can go fishing for gossip openly! --And, if Pris thinks it’s so easy, why doesn’t she go take care of it herself then instead of forcing him to get involved? She whines she’s just very worried and he tells her that doesn’t get anything resolved. Dam changes the subject to the little task he gave her: getting dirt on Nanda and Fr/Ed. Pris says she searched the entire bedroom last night but couldn’t find anything. She was trying to think of a way to get close to Fer that wouldn’t arouse suspicion, but couldn’t. Dam suggests she offer to help her with the local cheese-producers’ fair. Pris should be able to keep track of how many times Nanda and Franco are together and that way eventually get the proof he needs that she is an adulteress. Pris agrees that it just might work.

Over at Las Animas again, Ed takes a call from Fer asking him to meet her at her office. Eddie starts to tell Estev, just as Denia decides to make her presence known, that Fer sounded pretty worried about something. Denia makes some complaint that if he’s going to be gone and will be a while she won’t know if she’s got to set an extra place at the table or not. She gets frustrated and stomps off again. Ed explains to Estev that it’s a big ruse because Denia wants an answer to her proposal from the night before. (Ok. Ok. I know the guys in Viewerville all wish they could be this lucky, but some of us see Denia as an unnecessary and wacky, tacky nuisance about now.) Estev laughs at Ed’s predicament and advises him to tell her already. (Will somebody tell poor, dear, befuddled Eddie that sometimes you just got to be cruel to be kind so we can get past this pain-in-the-patoot female already?) Ed rolls his gorgeous eyes.

Back at Bravo’s, Artemio is discussing the threat Eduardo Juarez presents to them. The Barbot insists the operative word is “was” since the man is dead. Bravo’s not that sure and says he wants to be absolutely certain. She again insists she confirmed it herself, personally. Even if he weren’t, so what? Bravo suggests that this Eduardo Juarez could be plotting something as dire and complex as their own plan. The Barbot takes a moment to reflect and then thinks to herself with relish, “--something as evil and cruel as I’m planning for you, you despicable wretch!!”

Venus starts to walk outside to wait for Cad to pick her up. Estev stops her in the hallway and asks if he can take a walk or something with her. She says no, she’s got things to do. He notices how down she seems. He asks what’s going on with her, if there is a problem or something and asks if she wants to talk to him about it? She says no, nothing, and she can’t stick around because Cad’s about to arrive. He says just tell Cad she’s busy talking to her er…uncle… for the moment and let him wait. Venus says a little snidely, “That’s right, …“Uncle Estev,” but she’s now Lovely, she says, Camilo’s girlfriend, and that’s how she’s got to behave, so no, she will not make Cad wait. Estev remains hopelessly oblivious to the obvious as Venus walks away to wait on the patio for Cad.

Barb gets off the elevator at Grupo Lactos at the same time Rubiel Villasana rushes out of it. She overhears him trying to find Fernanda. Rubiel says he doesn’t know Fer, but he urgently needs to speak with her. While he’s stuck at the reception desk with Flor, Barb coolly walks into her office and calls Flo to tell her to send him to see her instead. Fr/Ed arrives and walks to the reception desk to greet Flor. Meanwhile, Rubiel enters Barb’s office where she confronts him by name and asks why he’s come. Upset, he races out of her office and runs past Fr/Ed just as Fr/Ed tells Flor he’s there to see Fernanda. Rubiel hears her name and yells over at Fr/Ed that if he sees Fernanda to tell her that her husband is a swindler and that Rubiel Villasana told them so! Eduardo is well-wadda-ya-know-impactado. Barb walks into the reception area just then and keeps Fr/Ed from catching up to Rubiel for an explanation. She coolly ignores the entire situation and takes Fr/Ed into her office. Flor takes it all in and frowns.

In her office with Fr/Ed, Barb tries to brush it all off as a lot of rubbish and just some rude guy’s behavior. Fr/Ed disagrees and says his yelling in the lobby about Fernanda Elizalde’s husband being a swindler sounds like something sensitive and anything but simply some rude behavior. Barb nonchalantly explains that the man’s family was upset and resentful that a bit of business between Damian and them a few years back, which involved their lawyers, was not settled to their liking. “You understand, don’t you? When you lose, you lose.” He says yes. She asks why he’s there. Fr/Eddie explains Fer’s message and says that he thinks Fer probably wants to discuss his plans to get Lili back. Barb hands Fr/Ed the tape recorder and tells him to give it to Fernanda. She tells him that’s the irrefutable proof the family was wanting, what the two of them supposedly were waiting for from Obregon. “That should pacify the Elizalde’s for now.”

Fr/Ed is suspicious and asks how Barbara got it. BB simply says that it was the proof that Obregon sent. Eddie frowns cuz he knows there’s more behind this than she’s telling him, especially with Obregon out of the picture. He passes and asks her what’s on the tape. BB lies and says it’s something that frankly she wasn’t expecting. He asks why she’s giving the tape to him to hand over instead of her giving it to the family instead. BB says since they’re partners in this it’s all the same and it doesn’t matter who tells the Elizalde’s what’s on that tape.

In the meantime, Fernanda walks into the reception area looking for Fr/Ed. Flor shows her the article in the paper announcing the start of the cheese-producers’ project. Fer asks if Franco’s come yet and Flor says that he’s in with Barbara. This raises the hackles on Fer’s neck. Fr/Ed walks back into the reception area just then and says hey. She shoots a nasty look his way and tells him to follow her back to her office. Flor thinks to herself what a great couple Fer and Fr/Ed would have made, and that Franco Santoro is so different from the jerk she’s married to now.

Back at the hacienda at the little family crypt, a grieving Gonzo prays for help from Monserrat in protecting Lili (like a lot of good that will do considering Moansie’s feelings towards her). He needs her to keep him from giving in to his feelings of desperation because he cannot allow himself to fall apart in front of his children. (If I were Moansie I’d be shooting spikes of lightening on the guy’s backside instead.)

In her office, Fernanda tells Fr/Ed that she’s worried her father is becoming ill because of everything that’s happened with Lili and she thinks it’s time to tell him the truth. Fr/Ed looks trapped. He avoids answering and tells her there’s news from Lili; that Barbara found him in the reception area to explain. He pulls out the tape recorder from his jacket pocket. Fer looks on expectantly.

Across the hallway in her office, Bitch Barbie warns Flor to stay deaf, dumb and blind regarding the man that came looking for Fer. As far as Flor is concerned she’s to forget that the man ever came looking for her. If Flor says one word about the incident, BOW will throw her out of the place and this time not even Fernanda will be able to save her. Flor leaves and BB thinks what rotten luck that just now Villasana’s son decides to resurface.

Back in Fernanda’s office Fer and Fr/Ed listen to the tape BB forced Lili to make. On it Lili sounds angry and warns them away from her: “I don’t want to return to the hacienda. I don’t want to see anybody again, either. I have no family! Don’t look for me. Leave me in peace!!”

Fr/Ed is torn as he watches the tears roll down Fernanda’s face.

Labels: manana

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 2:47 PM 77 comments

Beto wastes no time in getting us in a light mood. Summoned to Mauricio’s office, upon Mau asking him to sit, he replies “Thank goodness. I’ve been standing up all day, doing nothing”. Well said. Mauricio has a special mission for him – recover La Monita. Hmmm, thinks Beto, suspiciously, what’s with this “recover” thing, you guys have a history? No, reassures Mau, she’s my employee, she left for no reason, I need her back, she’s very valuable. Okay, says Beto, if we’re talking valuable, maybe she left because she wasn’t making enough money. Mau says he could definitely pay her more, he just needs to talk to her. Don’t you worry, says Beto, I’m a professional.

Another professional (crook, that is), Andy by name (who wanted Moni to throw her fight with La Guerrera), is back at Moni’s house with a business proposition. How about a rematch with La Guerrera, and this one will be clean, you get paid whether you win or lose? Moni wonders why Don Cesar didn’t mention this. He doesn’t need to know, counters sly Andy.

Connie’s conflicted, Jerry wants her to go with the fake pregnancy, but she thinks Mau would kill her if he found out. Jerry keeps trying to convince her, but Ximena strides in, she was all exited about the baby, and now it turns out to be a lie, how could you, amiguita? As Jerry fiddles with a pink, transparent thong, Ximmy moans that she was hoping to get lots of Connie’s clothes when Connie couldn’t fit into them, and since that’s out, she’s going to tell Mau everything. She exits the boutique, Jerry in hot pursuit.

Oscar surprises Gabi from behind again, but this time she’s grossed out, isn’t sure she likes his hand caressing her hair, I mean, where has it been recently? Oscar thinks she’s acting strange, and she starts to explain. To her, black is black, white is white, bread is bread and wine wine (al pan, pan y al vino, vino, or calling a spade a spade).

Moni seems to be packing things for the gym, but Beto enters, exhorts her to return to work. After all, supporting her in the luxurious style she requires (hah!) isn’t easy on his chauffeur salary. She says she’s going to talk to Andy about a rematch with La Guerrera, but Beto doesn’t want her to have anything to do with Andy. Besides, he has a surprise for her. He says “come in”, and Mauricio appears in the doorway, causing Moni to drop her drawers (actually the red boxing shorts she was holding). Moni doesn’t want to talk to Mau (since she thinks he and Connie are going to have a baby), but Beto insists that she quiet down and listen, and leaves the two alone, wishing good luck to his “soul brother” Mauricio.


The first thing he asks about is the boxing gloves hanging next to Moni. Oh, those. A neighbor lent them to me to grab hot things from the oven (yeah, sure).

Outside, Nieves confronts Beto, asking who’s the handsome guy who just went into Moni’s place? That’s our boss, Mauricio Sermeño. Nieves smells trouble, thinks Beto is naïve to trust Moni with such a hunk, who could resist him, as she starts to list his attributes, tall, blues eyes, great body, almost swooning herself, as Beto is shocked at his pure Mom’s impure thoughts.

Jerry and Connie surprise Paula in the coffee room, where is she hiding Ximena? I don’t know, and I never lie, is the response. They exit, and Ximena pops out of the closet, Paula (who never lies) is her new best friend…..in this office, at least. Great, answers Pau, so you wanna contribute to a gift for Mau’s baby? Well, sure, but I don’t have any change at the moment, says Ximmy. They hear a noise, and Ximmy’s back in the closet. But it’s nothing, so out she comes, requesting a cappuccino. Another noise, back in the closet.

At central casting, Estrella, Dani and Aldo are happy about their TV screentest, but don’t want to get Dani’s hopes up too much, since some others also had good tests. But the director comes out, and both Estrella and Dani are hired!

Mauricio doesn’t understand why Moni’s so upset with him. Since she figures he really does know, it takes a while for her to let it slip out that it’s due to the baby he’s expecting with Connie. What? Where did you hear that? Everybody in the office knows.

Back in said office, they’ve pooled their funds and bought a crib, which is being admired by Paula and the two silent secretaries who always wear matching flowered blouses. Mauricio enters with Moni, and everyone applauds. Words of congrats are offered by all, Moni’s saying I told you so (that everyone in the office knew) but Mau looks a little mad, and demands to speak with Connie, who’s waiting in his office.

Moni and Pau enter the coffee room, and Moni’s surprised to see Ximena. Ximena has no time to talk, needs to explain something to Mau, runs out, only to be chased by Jerry around the circular receptionist station. A few times around and he tricks her, pretending to notice a message for her on the desk. For me? she asks, looking down, only to have him grab her, twist her arm behind her back, and force her into the copy room. She’s going to tell all, so he decides to copy-torture her, pushing her head onto the glass of the photocopier, promising to take photocopies of her until death! She hopes they’re in color, but quickly decides she’s going deaf from the noise and blind from the flashing light. Oh, how low can Jerry sink! Doesn’t he realize we have an energy crisis? And it’s not even Xime’s good side!

Meanwhile, Mauricio asks Connie, are you pregnant or not? Connie pauses to consider her answer.

It’s Moni to the rescue, as she enters the copy room, sees what Jerry is doing, and quickly knocks him out with a right to the jaw. Xime is thankful, Moni saved her life! Moni points out that Xime’s so out of it, she could drown in the shower. How did you know that? confirms Xime.

Mau asks again, Connie stalls again. She takes out some “results” supplied to her by Jerry, and is just about to say yes, when Xime comes in, Connie chickens out, and says no, I’m NOT pregnant. (and so ends another crisis that we thought would tie up this plot for weeks. We’ve had the shortest coma ever, now the shortest fake pregnancy. What’s next, the shortest baby swap?) Anyway, Connie explains that she was just fainting from the stress, and Xime adds that they just HATE people who invent fake pregnancies, right Connie, right? Ummm, right. But now I have to go to the boutique. And she’s off, leaving a very relieved Mauricio. Xime congratulates him for NOT being a papá, and I’m reminded of a song from the early sixties:

So Connie finally admits that he’s really not
A papa oo mau mau a papa oo mau mau
But the whole oficina thinks he’s really hot
A papa oo mau mau a papa oo mau mau
And maybe one day he can hook up with Moni
And both of them’ll cut out all the phoney meroney
Papa oooooooo, papa papa papa ooooooooooooo!



We now see a cute little “familia”, namely Estrella, Dani and Aldo, walking hand in hand, beaming over their stage triumph, as Aldo says he’ll be their agent, but Dani wants all the money she’s going to earn with the “sweat of her tears”. Good acting, little muffin, says Estrella (she actually calls her enana, which means dwarf, midget, or just little one). Aldo wants to go for tacos, and Dani wants cake and ice cream. Estrella agrees, but warns Dani that TV adds pounds to you. Dani disagrees, she’s going to WATCH TV, not eat it.

We now find out that the boutique is not in the same building as Grupo Sermeño, as Connie gets in a car. Well, who else is the chauffeur but good ol’ Beto, who greets her with a “Qué hay, mamita” (what’s up, babe), and proceeds to ogle Connie’s lovely legs (as do I!) Connie resists, she’s had a bad day, just take her to the boutique, and make it snappy. Beto tells her to chill out, his job is not just to drive, but to make her happy, and you only live once, so let’s go get a bite to eat. Connie tries to get out of the car, but Beto presses the automatic locks, steps on the gas, and they're off and running.

Moni and Mau are making up. It was all just a misunderstanding. Friends? he asks, extending his hand. No, she just wants to keep it boss/employee. Fine, he says, and I’ve approved the raise in salary for your brother and you. She can’t believe Beto got a raise! At this point Mau’s phone rings. Luisa says Aldo and Dani have been missing all day. Mau’s on it, asks Moni to come with him.

Beto is tooling along at a fairly high rate of speed, Connie protesting in the back seat that’s he’s driving like an idiot (cafre). Beto ignores this, tells her he loves her legs, as she squirms. He suggests they go to a romantic love nest (nido), he knows one that’s cheap, the towels aren’t too scratchy, and there are hardly any cockroaches! Disgusting, she answers. He wants her to sit up front, since her legs are distracting him. She tells him to look ahead, not back.

Salvador wants to know what to do with the northerners (some investors). Mau doesn’t care, he has things to do. Moni says take them to Xochimilco, which I understand is a series of lakes and canals in the outskirts of Mexico City, built by the Aztecs, where they have floating gardens and boat rides. In the elevator, Moni observes that Mau looked a little pale when he thought he was going to have a baby. He admits he was scared, but it affected Moni more – she was jealous of Connie. Of course she denies this, but it looks once more as if they might kiss when boom, boom, out go the lights! Moni goes batty, screaming, she can’t breathe, they’re going to die, help us, please!

Oscar asks Gabi if she’s noticed the elevators aren’t working, but she states it’s not her problem, it’s outside of her job description. Oscar thinks she’s acting a little strange lately, but she thinks HE’s strange. Enter Jerry, tells Oscar they have to talk, lightly touches his face (I guess checking about that thing Oscar had in his eye before), gives him a pretend punch to the chin, to which Oscar says “ouch”, and Gabi can’t believe how these two guys can carry on their gay affair right in front of her! As the guys leave, Gabi asks Ximena if she knows about her brother, and Ximmy says sure, she knows he’s an idiot. Sal arrives, Gabi leaves, Paula rushes in to report the elevator’s still stuck, and Sermeño Group and La Monita are trapped inside!

Connie’s moved up (to the front seat), so Beto’s no longer looking at her legs, but he still can’t take his eyes off of her. His driving is making her nervous, but she’s getting him excited too, and he scrunches up his lips, closes his eyes and leans over for a kiss. Look out! yells Connie, as Beto slams on the brakes to avoid a white car, but is too late, and there’s a minor crash. The drivers calmly exchange insurance info…NOT! Beto jumps out of his car, the guy in the other car jumps out (as does his tough looking wife), and they start screaming at each other, the other guy insults Beto’s old lady (vieja, which can mean wife). Beto says don’t call my vieja a vieja, and punches the guy. This turns into a street version of lucha libre, with strangleholds, headbutts, and the respective ladies egging on their guys.

Back in the dark elevator, Moni is still scared to death. Mau tries to calm her, takes out his cell and calls Sal, who informs him that the maintenance guys are working on the problem, just be patient. Mau asks about the kids, and Gabi gets on the line to inform him that they still don’t know where Aldo and Dani are.

Oscar and Jerry are celebrating with champagne the fact that Oscar has gotten the judge to make the adoption conditioned on Mau’s marrying. They decide to do a cruzadito, crossing their arms to drink the toast, along with a brotherly hug. Of course Gabi walks in, outraged at their brazenness, says she could understand if Oscar were with another woman, but with this poor imitation of a man (remedo hombre), pointing at Jerry.…”No, it’s too much”, she says in English, exiting in a huff.

Moni wants to make a confession before she dies. Mau comforts her, they’re not going to die, she’s the bravest woman he’s met, how can she be so afraid of being closed in, could she have some kind of phobia? She thinks maybe she does. She explains that when she was little, her Mom would go to work, and since there was no Dad around, Moni was locked in the house. She’d bang on the door for hours, trying to get out, hearing all the voices of the kids playing outside, desperate and afraid. And now, whenever she’s locked in somewhere, she’s filled with anguish. Mauricio gently wraps his comforting arms around her.

Ximena’s back in the closet, still afraid of Jerry, and Paula tries to get her out, Paula’s been working here for three years and doesn’t want to lose her “entrepreneurial career” (we see 6 spray bottles of all purpose cleaner in the foreground, emphasizing the size of her “business”). Ximena thinks Pau will rise way up in this business, maybe they’ll call it “Mau and Pau”. The whole time, Paula is spinning something around in her hand absentmindedly, something which looks like a raccoon tail, maybe it’s a good luck charm. Xime has another problem, she’s going to a new club opening tonight, and guess who Xime’s inviting? You, Pao (spelled the way she calls Mau Mao), you’ll be a “flash”, she adds, popping out of the closet. Thanks, but no way, and I don’t have anything to wear, says Pau. No prob, says Xime, I’ll lend you something, ‘cause they’re best amigas now, right? Paula lights up, and the two amigas excitedly plan their wardrobe strategy.

Gabi tells Oscar they can’t be novios anymore, but they can still be amigas (emphasizing the feminine form of the noun). But how could he choose Jerónimo, she could think of lots of better guys for him. Oscar tries to ignore this foolishness, moves in, asks if she’s ever felt neglected (desatendido). She softens a bit as he suggests an intimate dinner, followed by a night of unbridled (desenfrenado) passion. He leans over to kiss her, which she reciprocates for a second, before pulling away, wondering where that mouth of his has been. Sal walks in, wants to know what’s up. Nothing, we’re just, well……”with the elevator technicians”, Sal adds. Gabi has no idea, and as Sal exits, Gabi’s doubts are gone, and she and Oscar kiss.

Moni and Mau are sitting now, reminiscing about their bittersweet pasts. Mau talks of his first wife, they went to all the races together, everything was great between them. They lived in England, and he had to go to Italy for a sponsored event (she stayed in London). Before, every time he finished a race, he’d take off his helmet, and he and his wife would gaze at each other in silent communication. Nothing else existed for them. He won the race in Italy, looked around for her, but she wasn’t there, the only face he saw was Salvador’s, and Sal’s face let him know something was wrong. It turns out that while he was zooming around the track, his wife was in an airplane, and the plane was crashing. He’s confides in Moni that he’s never told this to anyone else before now. His wife was coming to Italy to surprise him. The surprise? She was pregnant. He starts to weep, and Moni comforts him.

But enough of this sappy stuff. Let’s get back to comedy! Connie, Beto and company are standing around the cars, where a crowd has gathered, and cops are filling out their reports. Connie thinks the other lady is staring at her. She is, and they start insulting each other. Then they start grabbing each other’s hair, and when the guys try to break it up, THEY start fighting, all right in front of the cops.

It’s night now, and it looks as if they’ll FINALLY get the elevator open. The repairman presses the button, the door opens, and Mau and Moni are on the floor, in each other’s arms. She’s asleep. Everyone is relieved.

Cut to a jail cell, and Connie’s in it! Of course, all the other occupants are hookers, and one of same bugs her for a smoke, suggestively pressing against the horrified Connie. She calls over to the men’s cell, just across the hall, Roberto, help me! Beto’s in the middle of a card game (he told her earlier jail was like a second home for him). The guard has no qualms about letting Beto out of his cell to visit Connie. He tells Connie what’s the problem, just call Mauricio and he’ll get us out. She’s ashamed to do that. Then just relax and enjoy the experience. At this, she grabs his ear, and pulls him close to the bars, he’ll get her out, or she’ll yell and hit him. He LIKES this, presses closer for a kiss.

Moni’s awake now, and feeling fine. Mau instructs Sal to have the elevators fixed, even install a new one if necessary, cost is no object. Sal informs Mau that 1) Oscar got a new judge for the adoption, and there’s a hearing tomorrow, and 2) Aldo and Dani are home, safe and sound. Mau asks Moni to accompany him, and Moni asks Paula to tell the neighbors she’ll be late. Pau begs off, she’s going to a wild party with Ximena, which surprises everybody. Mau and Moni exit, but this time, they’ll use the stairs.

At home, Aldo, Estrella and Dani apologize for being out, but they have good news. Estrella and Dani are going to be on TV! Mau says that’s good for Estrella, but Dani’s not working on TV or anywhere else. Aldo tries to convince him, when Moni’s phone rings. It’s Beto, he crashed the company car, and is in jail. Moni and Mau are off again, he’ll talk about the acting thing later.

At the police station, Moni is upset about Beto, she knew he couldn’t drive, but Mau says it was an accident, could have happened to anyone. The officer comes out, they can release Beto, but he adds that there’s a problem – when picked up, Beto was accompanied by a woman of ill repute (una mujer de vida disipada en plena práctica, literally a woman with a dissipated life, in the middle of her practice, which I guess is police lingo for this sort of thing). Moni is livid that Beto would be fooling around with such a fulana (whore), but Mauricio says calm down, at times, men being men, well, you know….until said “fulana” is marched out, and it’s Connie! She runs into Mau’s arms crying, but Moni is very suspicious. She’s the woman of ill repute? she asks the officer? Yep. LOL!

Previews: Oscar’s installing teeny, tiny microphones in Mau’s office, and it looks as if Moni and Mau are at a bachelorette party, with male strippers! And Mau may have to grin and “bare” it!

Vocabulario:

Al pan, pan y al vino, vino – bread is bread and wine is wine, or calling a spade a spade
Enano(a) – midget, dwarf, little one
Cafre – an idiot or moron
Remedo – poor imitation of, poor copy of
Desatendido – neglected
Desenfrenado – unbridled, frenzied
Una mujer de vida disipada en plena práctica – cop speak for a hooker on the job

Labels: gancho